Tender issued for ‘visionary’ Masterplan for Laois town
‘Smith’s Field has experienced significant anti-social behaviour in recent years’
A tender has gone out for the creation of a ‘visionary’ Masterplan which could transform the ‘largest public park’ in Mountmellick which has experienced ‘significant anti-social behaviour’ in recent years.
Laois County Council issued the tender with a view to creating a plan to develop Smiths Field. They plan to rejuvenate Mountmellick by “regenerating this area in terms of a new housing development to provide a living edge to this space together with active travel routes to link the area to the town centre”.
The Masterplan and Part 8 design will complement and build on three other major developments taking place in the area. These are an adjoining social housing scheme which is being designed, Mountmellick Soccer Club’s planned upgrade of their facilities to the north of Smiths field and the recent construction of a footpath along the perimeter of Smiths Field.
“It is envisaged that further active travel measures will be incorporated by the appointed design team into the Masterplan for Smiths Field with a view to improving connectivity with Mountmellick Town,” the tender documents state.
“Smith’s Field has experienced significant anti-social behaviour in recent years…Laois County Council is committed to regenerating this area in terms of a new housing development to provide a living edge to this space together with active travel routes to link the area to the town centre. The proposed masterplan for the development of an amenity park and walkway will complement and strengthen Laois County Council’s efforts to rejuvenate and enhance this town centre greenfield site,” the Council stated.
Connecting the area to the rest of the town is central to the plan which also to “promote the Owenass River as an asset for the community, enhancing its utilisation including recreational activities such as kayaking and educational activities.” Three connectivity options are being explored as part of the plan.
Option 1: Requires the construction of a new path on the western bank of the Owenass River which will connect the site to the cap park at St. Joseph’s Church. This option would use the existing pedestrian bridge located at the soccer field and athletics track and would require land acquisition to facilitate the construction of a new path.
Option 2: This option also links Smiths Field to the carpark at St. Joseph’s Church and proposes the construction of a new path within the Smiths Field site together with a new River crossing at the southern end of the site.
Option 3: This option does not link Smiths Field to St. Joseph’s Church but instead to a location approximately 305m from the entrance to the church. This option does not require a river crossing as the route remains on the Smith’s Field side of the river and joins the main road to the south.
According to the tender, “the area is envisioned to be sustainable, inclusive, and well-integrated with the existing urban fabric. As part of the Masterplan and Part 8, the appointed design team will be required to assess options for a new pedestrianised route / connectivity between Smiths Field and the town.”
“Laois County Council has recently constructed an active travel footpath along the perimeter of the site. It is envisaged that further active travel measures will be incorporated by the appointed design team into the masterplan for Smiths Field with a view to improving connectivity with Mountmellick town.”
The new plan should “incorporate new passive and active open spaces which will strengthen the network of existing green space within the Town Centre environment, Strengthen the network of open space amenities in the town and enhance connectivity between them, Introduce biodiversity and climate resilience measures within the town whilst taking into the SAC conservation objectives of the River Owenass,” the Council stated.
The €50,000 tender for a plan was issued by the Council on June 10 with response deadlines due by July 9. The Masterplan is expected to take around 28 weeks to complete.